EastEnders 'Ello Ma'!!!!! The Creation of Nick Cotton Nicholas Charles "Nick" Cotton is a fictional character from the British soap opera EastEnders played by John Altman on a recurring basis from the soap's debut episode on 19 February 1985, in six separate stints (1985 to 1991, 1993, 1998, 2000 to 2001, 2008 to 2009 and from 2014 onwards). Nick is the son of characters Charlie (Christopher Hancock) and Dot Cotton (June Brown), and the father of Charlie (Declan Bennett), Ashley (Frankie Fitzgerald) and Dotty Cotton (Molly Conlin). His storylines have seen him twice commit murder; Reg Cox in 1985 and Eddie Royle in 1991 respectively, succumb to a heroin addiction, his racism and attempts to poison his own mother, causing the death of his son Ashley and faking his own death, amongst numerous other misdemeanours.

Nick was also the subject of a special spin-off episode, The Return of Nick Cotton, which aired in October 2000. He has been voted one of television's all-time most villainous characters in a Channel 4 poll. On 29 July 2014, it was confirmed that John Altman would return and Nick appeared onscreen again on 24 October 2014. He is the shows original villain as a result of his actions. Nick Cotton was the twenty-fourth character invented by the creators of EastEnders, Tony Holland and Julia Smith. Nick was not part of Holland's and Smith's original vision for EastEnders, and his creation came about as an afterthought. The first episode of the series was to include the death of an elderly resident, Reg Cox, who had been brutally attacked in his home, and left to die. During the first writers' meeting, where the writers were introduced to the intended characters and early scripts, each independently wanted to know which character had killed Reg. However, Holland and Smith had never intended for the murderer to be unveiled. They had no idea who had killed Reg Cox, and they had felt that "the who" was not important.

The fact that he was dead following an attack was the important issue, and Reg's murder was not intended to be solved, it was only there to tell the audience, from the outset, that Walford was a rough and tough place. The writers opposed this. They accused Holland of throwing away a great opportunity and suggested that a murder hunt would provide an array of dramatic possibilities that would captivate the audience. After deciding that all of the twenty-three original characters were incapable of committing the crime, Holland decided to invent an entirely new character, in the form of Nick Cotton. The original character outline for Nick read: "His image is exclusively macho. Vanishes for weeks on end. Mum doesn't ask questions... Unlike Den, Nick is a real crook. Worms his way into people's confidentiality and homes. From then on, lives on his wits. Waiting for the moment to strike; to nick the cash and disappear...Usually chooses his victims who, for one reason or another, are frightened to report him...Nick's a heroin addict." As Nick was only intended to be a semi-regular character, Julia Smith was not involved in his casting and the actor John Altman was chosen by the directors.

"Nick Cotton is an EastEnders legend. His complex relationship with Dot, his criminal tendencies, and his addiction to heroin, violence, and everything else that's bad have made him one of the show's best-remembered and best-loved villains. We're very excited that he - and the talented John Altman who plays him - will be returning to the Square." ï¿½Executive producer Diederick Santer on Nick's 2008 return to EastEnders. June Brown (Dot Cotton) June Muriel Brown, MBE (born 16 February 1927) is an English actress, best known for her role as Dot Cotton in the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders. In 2005, she won Best Actress at the British Soap Awards and also received the Lifetime Achievement award at the same ceremony. In 2009, she was nominated for Best Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards. She is only the second performer to receive a BAFTA nomination for their work in a soap opera (the first was Jean Alexander).

Her other television appearances include Doctor Who (1973-1974) the comedy series Now and Then (1983-1984) and the 2003 TV film Margery and Gladys opposite Penelope Keith. She was made a MBE in the 2008 Queens Birthday Honours. Dorothy "Dot" Branning (also Cotton) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by June Brown since 1985. Dot first appeared in EastEnders in July 1985 as the mother of criminal Nick Cotton (John Altman). The character has worked as a launderette assistant for most of that time along with original character Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard). Dot moved away with her son and his family in 1993. June returned to the role in 1997, and Dot was shown moving back to Albert Square, and has continued since that time. Dot is the second longest-serving character currently appearing in EastEnders, surpassed only by original character Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).

In a special episode entitled EastEnders: Dot's Story (2003) a young Dot was played by Tallulah Pitt-Brown in flashbacks. In April 2012, June took a six-month break from the show to write her memoirs. Dot temporarily departed on 18 May 2012. She returned on 14 January 2013. Dot's relationship with her wayward son Nick (John Altman), has been a feature of the character's narrative since her inception. Unlike Dot, Nick is scripted as a semi-regular character, one who comes and goes sporadically and, as authors Jill Marshall and Angela Werndly have observed, "we know heartache is in store for Dot Cotton every time her son, 'Nasty Nick', turns up. The recurrence of generic elements means we derive pleasure from expectation and prediction." Executive producer Diederick Santer has discussed the "wonderfully dysfunctional mother-son relationship" Nick shares with Dot and her perpetual willingness to give Nick another chance regardless of his history of wrongdoing. Santer explained: "Thereï¿½s that thing where you sort of dare to hope that someoneï¿½s changed, which is really tragic.

Theyï¿½ve let you down a hundred times, and yet you still hope that the hundred and first time theyï¿½ll have changed." Actor Leslie Grantham has stated that Dot is the "one friend in [Nick's] life", while series story producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has affirmed: "Dotï¿½s always going to forgive him. And thatï¿½s the beauty of Nick and Dot." Concurring with this sentiment, John Altman (Nick) agreed: "No matter what he does, sheï¿½ll forgive him. So did a lot of gangsters' mothers throughout history. Probably Al Capone's mother thought he was a sweet lad, you know." One of Nick's most notable returns to the series occurred in 1990. Nick returned to his mother's life with the claim that he was a born-again Christian, which happened to coincide with her ï¿½1000 win on the bingo. EastEnders writer Sarah Phelps explained: "For Dot, the idea that Jesus had finally spoken to Nick, that was all her Christmases coming at once! Nick knew that.

It was sort of obvious that Nick could be saying 'Jesus walks with me' and then just go out and kick somebody or nick their wallet." With the help of a fake priest, Nick managed to convince his mother of his new-found faith and then began a slow campaign to control her eating habits and poison her in order to claim her money. Discussing the storyline, scriptwriter Colin Brake has indicated that at first it was not clear to the audience whether Nick had reformed or not, but as the weeks passed it became obvious that he did intend to kill his mother, as he was shown practising a fake suicide note in Dot's handwriting ï¿½ a foil to cover the intended murder; according to Brake, Dot remained blithely and perhaps purposefully ignorant to his wrongdoing. The episode which culminated the storyline, written by P.J. Hammond, was set solely in Dot's house and featured an unusually small cast consisting of Nick, Dot, Nick's estranged father Charlie, Dot's close friend Ethel Skinner and Alistair the fake priest.

At the last moment, in what Altman has called the "one time we saw a glimmer of Nickï¿½s good side", Nick backed out of his plan and stopped Dot from eating the poisoned meal he had intended to kill her with. Once again Dot was left alone, broken-hearted at what her own son had been prepared to do to her. Other storylines have concentrated on Dot's various attempts to reform Nick, such as in 1991, when Nick returned with a heroin addiction. As the plot unfolded, Dot tried to curtail Nick's addiction by locking him in his room and forcing him to go cold turkey. His resulting paranoia and cravings led him to escape and murder the first person he encountered, The Queen Victoria landlord Eddie Royle (Michael Melia). The episode where Eddie was murdered was the big autumn launch episode for 1991. Nick stood trial in January 1993; however, "he got away with murder" for a second time in the serial. Other scams have included Nick's attempt to con Dot by claiming he had AIDS in 1998 after escaping from prison, which ultimately led to Dot having him re-imprisoned.

Then followed a plot that saw him largely responsible for the death of his son Ashley (Frankie Fitzgerald) in 2001, ultimately leading Dot to disown Nick. Following pleas from Brown to resurrect Nick, John Altman returned to the serial again in December 2008, in a storyline that saw Nick attempt to con Dot again, this time aided by a previously unheard of daughter, Dotty (Molly Conlin). Altman explained: "Nick needed something, because I think if he didnï¿½t have little Dotty, for him to walk through that door, she would just have treated him as a complete outcast." As the storyline progressed, it was revealed that Nick and Dotty had intentions to kill Dot for her inheritance; they concocted a plan to make her think she had developed dementia then overdose her with sleeping pills, which fails when Dotty has a change of heart and Nick flees once again after causing an explosion and being disowned by Dot. John and June Brown are very good friends off screen.

Nick Cottons 2014 (and final) Return by Daniel Kilkelly for Digital Spy 25 October 2014 EastEnders is reintroducing the show's most memorable villain as Nick Cotton has returned to Walford. Following his brief appearance at the end of Friday night's episode, Nick horrifies his son Charlie (Declan Bennett) next week by arriving at Dot's house unexpectedly, threatening to reveal the fact that his recent 'death' was faked. EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins recently promised to tell "the Nick story to end all Nick stories", so there is bound to be huge drama ahead for the Cottons and the Mitchells as the iconic character causes more trouble. This week, Digital Spy had an exclusive chat with John Altman, who plays Nick, to hear more gossip about what's in store. How does it feel to be back on EastEnders? "First of all, as an actor, it's great to be working. It's also fabulous to be given some quite powerful storylines - and I love EastEnders, so it's great to be back!" Were you surprised when you got the call to return?

"It's always a nice surprise when they do get in touch. Over the years, sometimes I've had long stretches away from the show. That can be as long as nine years, which means I have to get on with my life outside of EastEnders - I don't sit by the phone waiting for it to ring! "There have been a couple of times when I've had to say no to returning because I've been doing something else, but this time it worked out." How did you feel about the fake death storyline for Nick? "I knew about Nick returning from the dead long before anyone else knew about it, because the executive producer Dominic and story producer Alex [Lamb] told me about their plans. Of course I had to remain quiet about that, and it's quite hard because I couldn't really tell anybody at all. You have to be careful if you're talking in a taxi or on a train, because you never know who might overhear you! "I had to keep the truth a closely-guarded secret, but that's part of being up here at EastEnders. I love surprises and I wouldn't want to know myself what was coming up." Keeping it quiet must have been a challenge !

"It was particularly difficult when Nick's funeral came around! People kept saying to me, 'Isn't it terrible that they've killed him off and you weren't even there?' People were moaning about it and saying he was a great character so it shouldn't have happened! "I just had to listen to them and say, 'You're right, I don't know anything about it either'. Something went round about me being annoyed about it, but that wasn't actually true - it was just what I had to say in order to cover it all up!" Why does Nick decide to return next week? "Nick has got himself into a bit of a fix. He's run out of money again and he's been out of the country, mixing with the criminal elite in Spain I believe! Once again, he's on his uppers and he always comes back to the Square when that happens so that he can tap up someone there to help him out. "Nick is in a bit of a corner, though. Having declared himself dead, he doesn't want to be seen. He's almost returning in spirit form!" What kind of a relationship can we expect between Nick and his son Charlie? "It's going to be fractious.

Nick had Charlie many years ago and left Yvonne to bring him up. He did pop by occasionally but not very often, so Nick was one of those absent fathers. Charlie has a lot of resentment about the fact that Nick was never there when he was a little boy, but at the same time, Nick is still his dad. "There's that 'blood is thicker than water' thing bubbling under the surface, so we can expect to see some very powerful run-ins between Nick and Charlie. You'll also see some quite tender and emotional scenes, because they are father and son and they haven't seen each other for a long time." How about Nick and Yvonne? "Yvonne is Nick's wife. It's the only time he's got married, although he seems to have a string of kids all over the place! Maybe there are others, I don't know! Nick didn't tell Dot about Yvonne, which is typical. "Yvonne will become entangled in the evil web of Nick. I think they're very different people. She was a nurse way back and met Nick when he'd just come out of a remand centre, so it was a case of opposites attracting.

There's still passion between the two of them, but Yvonne is fighting that because she doesn't really want to get sucked back into the evil world of Mr. Nicholas Cotton!" Cotton is a huge name in soapland, so are you pleased to see the family being expanded with these new characters? "Very much so. The family is quite dysfunctional in many ways, which is probably due to Nick and also Nick's father, who was the original Charlie Cotton. "I always felt that Nick's dad died a little bit too soon into the history of this soap. That was a bit of a gratuitous killing-off, I thought. They said it was to draw Nick and Dot closer together, but I never believed that and thought they should have kept Charlie Cotton for a lot longer. He was a great character and a really great actor. Sadly Chris Hancock is no longer with us. "As an actor, you get to love your on-screen family and I'm sure that's the same with the rest of the cast too. To see the Cotton family expanded is good and quite exciting, as there are new faces to be playing with." Dominic has gone public with the fact that Nick Cotton vs. Ronnie Mitchell will be a big storyline!

Are you looking forward to that? "Yeah! That was a surprise to me. Ronnie has already bumped somebody off, hasn't she? The score right now is three kills for Nick and one for Ronnie! Those two characters will definitely be going head-to-head. "Nick isn't best pleased that Ronnie and Charlie are together because she's a Mitchell. He's never liked the Mitchells - particularly Phil. Anything to do with the Mitchells, Nick does not like, so you can expect to see a few fireworks going off long after Bonfire Night!" Are you excited about the long-term arc planned for Nick? "Very, yes! They've cooked up some pretty dastardly events. There's some very dramatic stuff coming up and I'm very proud to be a part of it again." What's it like to work with June Brown again? "With the show's anniversary coming up you suddenly think, 'Crikey, I've known her for 30 years!' June is a dear friend and we meet up when we can, but of course she is employed at EastEnders and that keeps her very busy.

Now that I'm up here again, it's a reminder that you almost get cut off from the rest of the world because it takes over your life. "It's great to be back with June. There's a lot of pressure, as you might suddenly get six scenes thrown at you to film the next day, so you've got to get your head down until midnight or 1am to cram them all in. June is amazing for her age because she's working under that same pressure quite a lot, but she loves what she does." Did you get a chance to catch up with June before your return? "Before I started back, I actually went over to see June and we spent five hours together combing through the script, just making sure that it was right. Bless them, there are loads of writers and they don't always get it exactly right - they sometimes write Nick how they think he is, rather than how he actually is. "The standard of the writing on the show is very good, but as we go along, we'll sometimes see sections of the script that we don't think is quite how it should be, so we'll put a little change in here or there.

We don't do that over-dramatically because that would cause chaos, but sometimes we'll put something in or take a line out. "Myself and June know the characters so well and we're a bit of a double act, really - maybe we should do some comedy over the holiday season!" Nick is such a well-known character. When did you first become aware that he was reaching that iconic status? "I suppose it takes time to become iconic. It's hard for me to completely see it because I play it, but it's probably over the last five years that people have started writing that down. I was quite pleased when they did, as it's certainly no bad thing, is it?" You obviously have worked outside of the show too, so have you ever wanted to move on from Nick? "Well, people will never forget Nick, will they? The acting business is a strange one - you just don't know from one month to the next where you're going to be half the time, so it's very insecure in many ways. But at the same time, that's exciting - I quite like the gypsy life.

"I never know whether I'm going to be on the road like I was when I was doing Chicago a few years back, or going off to do a film in Liverpool, which I did before coming back to EastEnders. That was called My Lonely Me and was directed by Joe Scott. That's going to Cannes in 2015, so I'll be going down there. "I have lots of unfulfilled ambitions. The film world beckons again and I love it. I've never worked in America and I've never actually performed on the West End stage, so who knows what the future holds?" Why EastEnders star John Altman regrets taking the role of soap villain Nick Cotton - Mirror Online TV Why EastEnders star John Altman regrets taking the role of soap villain Nick Cotton The actor, who joined the BBC show for money, claims it limited his career through typecasting – and says screen ma June Brown sometimes feels the same Share Click to playTap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Get soaps updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email He swaggered in and out of Albert Square under a cloud of menace and cigarette smoke for three decades until he finally met his maker last year. But while EastEnders’ “Nasty” Nick Cotton was raging against the machine – and his long-suffering Ma – behind the tough exterior, actor John Altman was wrestling his own demons. Today, he reveals he only joined the BBC1 soap for the money and regretted signing the contract as soon as he read the first script back in 1984. He admits he has struggled since with resentment, as the role of Nick typecast him for life, “shutting doors” on other acting work. What’s more, he insists he is not alone – it’s a regret he claims was shared at times by co-star June Brown , his on-screen mum Dot. He says: “We both joined EastEnders because we needed the money and security it brought but it has meant that lots of other doors have remained firmly shut to us and career opportunities have been limited.

June and John became firm favourites on the hit soap (Photo: BBC) John does appreciate the benefits the show has brought him (Photo: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror) “I truly believe June could have been a Penelope Keith or a Vanessa Redgrave if she’d had the Sliding Doors moment we used to talk about. “Signing on the dotted line to play Nick meant that many, many doors shut on me and they have never opened again. It did make me bitter and I struggled a lot.” While he mourns for the film career he feels he lost, he does insist he is now “grateful” to EastEnders, in which he appeared in six separate stints before he finally died on screen last year, watched by Dot herself. Read More John Altman says June Brown looks after him following death of his real mother “The show paid for my daughter’s schooling… there have been a lot of benefits,” he explains. He’s clearly conflicted. When we meet in a Surrey hotel, the 64-year-old presents me with a “100% Nicked Cotton” T-shirt – possibly self-designed – and shows off his silver Nick Cotton RIP cuff links, a gift from the show.

Video Loading Watch Next Surreally, his black hair is still slicked back, Nick style. He seems to love the character­ who also traps him, like a captive falling for their kidnapper in a weird luvvie version of Stockholm syndrome. A self-trained actor who did theatre and films before EastEnders, he explains he later felt crushed by the snobbery of the acting world. “Starring in EastEnders was a double-edged sword. You had to learn so quickly, it was good experience as an actor,” he says. “But I later found out there is this awful prejudice in the industry. I heard one casting director say ‘I remember John. Good young actor but he went off and did EastEnders so we can’t use him.’” Video Loading Share this video Watch Next Sadly, Nick Cotton versus John Altman hasn’t been the only conflict in the actor’s life. By 1997 he was drowning in alcoholism and cocaine-fuelled benders and his marriage to wife Bridget had reached breaking point. Now in his new autobiography, In The Nick Of Time, out this week, he reveals how he got a wake-up call when his young daughter Rosanna begged him to quit.

“Of all the people who could have said it to me, it had the most impact,” John admits. “It can’t have been easy for a 10-year-old, when all she and her mum wanted was for things to be normal.” Read More June Whitfield drops bombshell about EastEnders nun character At the time, he admits, things had got so bad that he couldn’t sleep. “I would get out of bed at 3am and have a massive swig of vodka. I’d make my way to Waterloo for a few drinks at the station bar. “I’d take miniatures on the train and when I reached my destination­ I’d decide the best way to avoid looking drunk was to go for a pint, in the deluded belief it would sober me up.” Yet he was always fastidious about covering his hangovers. Family man John with his wife and daughter (Photo: Mirrorpix) “I remember standing outside Rosanna’s­ Montessori school, feeling proud no one could tell what a bender I’d been on the night before,” he says. Equally, he stresses the booze and drugs never affected his work.

He also reveals just how rife cocaine use was back in the 1980s and 90s. “At parties it was socially accepted. Top names in TV were doing it, you’d see a queue up the stairs at parties and you would know all of them.” Although he adds quickly: “As far as EastEnders, I don’t know, I never did any there and never saw any.” John eventually turned to AA and has remained clean for 19 years. Although it was too late to save his marriage – he admits he was unfaithful, once, too, after a night drinking – he has a close relationship with Rosanna, now 29, who has a two-year-old daughter, Lily, of her own. But surprisingly, despite all he has been through, he has a relaxed attitude to drugs. Cocaine, he says, is “no big deal”. As a teen John smoked marijuana, then tried LSD, hash, opium and speed . He once snorted heroin at a party by mistake thinking it was cocaine but reacted badly. Dot Cotton discovers the body of her son Nick (Photo: BBC) In his late teens he even spent four weeks in a Belgian jail for drug smuggling.

He was never charged and says on that occasion they had it wrong – although he had posted home hash from his travels in India. He adds: “I don’t frown on drugs. For me it’s all things in moderation.” It’s yet another conflict in the complex boy raised in Kent with his real-life beloved Ma and steady bank clerk father. And here’s another... despite reservations­ about EastEnders, he was sad to be killed off. “It came as a bit of a surprise. I mentioned to the producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins ‘Would you think of changing your mind?’ But he said no. June said: ‘They’ll probably kill you off anyway so you might as well come in and earn a few bob.’” You sense John would have liked to have had a bit more clout there too. He hints that he wasn’t always treated with the most respect. When he returned in 2014 he was bemused to be taken to a “portakabin” rather than a dressing room. “There was no running water, no shower, no toilet,” he says. He called his agent to sort it out.

“I expect a decent dressing room after 30 years on the show.” He also reveals how the cast have never had cars provided. “Even June didn’t get one until her late 70s!” he says. And, he adds, they don’t get meals. “On ITV you get all that! “It’s a factory; a treadmill you can’t get off.” Except, John is off it now. He’s free. His plans range from a US TV series (under negotiation, he says) to becoming an MP. Yet from his hairstyle to his T-shirts, he doesn’t seem quite ready to let go yet. In The Nick Of Time by John Altman is published by John Blake Publishing. Like us on Facebook EastEnders villain John Altman reveals that the show closed some doors for his career 30 June 2016 5:27 PM Shares Advertisement - Continue Reading Below EastEnders star John Altman - who played villain Nick Cotton on the show between 1985 and 2015 - has said that it closed some doors for his career. Appearing on Lorraine , the actor agreed that the role has been a "double-edged sword".

"It's been quite frustrating sometimes," he continued. "I think in the theatre I've had more of a chance to play many different parts." Talking about being typecast, he went on: "It's tough, and you have to be honest about it. If I'd turned up on Downton Abbey as a butler, people would have said, 'Oh look, Nick Cotton's a butler in Downton Abbey'." © ITV But he added optimistically: "[Now] it's another lifetime within my lifetime. It's a new life for me. I'm out of EastEnders." Speaking about his relationship with Dot Cotton actress June Brown, he said: "I lost my real mother this year… June's taking care of me now. "She is extraordinary. She's an amazing woman." EastEnders airs on BBC One. Want up-to-the-minute soaps news and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account .

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - hit play below for gossip on Gavin's dramatic EastEnders return, Billy's decision between Todd and Sean in Coronation Street, Belle's fake pregnancy in Emmerdale and Ellie's sneaky plan to split Mac and Neeta in Hollyoaks. Pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, Middlesbrough Theatre 2014/2015 Leading the way as Fleshcreep in Jack and The Beanstalk at Middlesbrough Theatre is John Altman - best known as Nasty Nick Get ready to boo and hiss with the best of them for this year looks set to be a goodie when it comes to baddies. Teessideï¿½s theatres have lifted the curtain on their annual panto extravaganzas and the stars of the show will have a definite roguish side. In Middlesbrough today for the launch of the show, John donned his dastardly costume for the first time and wasted no time getting in to character at a special photocall to launch the show. ï¿½Iï¿½m looking forward to it,ï¿½ he said.

ï¿½Iï¿½ve never played Middlesbrough Theatre before, this will be my first time. ï¿½I expect I will terrify the kids - so get down to Middlesbrough Theatre for Jack and the Beanstalk or Iï¿½ll come round your ï¿½ouses!ï¿½ Jack and the Beanstalk, Ferneham Hall, Ferneham 2013/2014 Fee, fi, fo, fum boomed the giant at Farehamï¿½s Ferneham Hall last night as the theatre played host to an evening of festive fun. Jack saved the day by climbing the magical beanstalk and rescuing fair Princess Gill in the Christmas pantomime. And the star of the night was easily the 12-foot tall giant, who made an appearance as he hunted for little children to gobble up for dinner. This reviewer isnï¿½t entirely sure how the mechanical character was operated from the inside, but he was a sight to behold. The stage was momentarily lit up with the light of phone flashes. Ben Redfern returned to the theatre following last yearï¿½s run of Cinderella, and proved an audience favourite once again.

Playing Jackï¿½s goofy brother Simple Simon, he drove the show forward. Joining Ben on stage, and playing his loving mother Dame Trott, was actor Mark Siney. Also returning after playing one of the ugly sisters last year, the chemistry with his fairytale son makes them a joy to watch. If youï¿½re going to watch one scene, then the kitchen one is always a winner ï¿½ it involved eggs, a lot of flour and a flying pancake. EastEndersï¿½ Nasty Nick, otherwise known as John Altman, took a break from Albert Square to terrorise the audience as the evil Fleshcreep. The boos screamed in his direction could probably be heard on the Isle Of Wight, as the children took in their stride the challenge of being the loudest. As the giantï¿½s faithful sidekick, he oozed menace. The show was littered with family favourite pantomime tricks, such as the scene where the main characters are lost in the forest before being spooked ï¿½ of course, heï¿½s behind you! And thatï¿½s the fun of pantomime.

The family, whether it be kids or grown-ups, are whisked away into a world of magical fun for an evening. And itï¿½s exactly what Ferneham Hall is offering this festive period. But, in the end, does Simple Simon learn to make a pancake and does Dame Trott get her man from the audience, faithful Bob? One thing is for sure, the unfortunate cow, which was sold for those mischievous beans, was an audience favourite. by Mischa Allen Christmas Light Switch On Crowds flocked to Fareham Shopping Precinct to see the switching on of the Christmas lights. (left to right), Santa, The Mayor of Fareham Councillor Susan Bayford with actor John Altman and Peppa Pig. Picture: Ian Hargreaves 2012/2013 He played one of the most infamous soap villains as ï¿½Nastyï¿½ Nick Cotton in EastEnders, but actor John Altman doesn't mind being typecast as the baddie. John will be heading to Stockport Plaza this Christmas to play yet another pantomime villain ï¿½ Abanazer in Aladdin.

He smiles: ï¿½I've been in around 25 pantomimes and I've played the villain in nearly every one, apart from Cinderella as there aren't really and bad male characters, unless I was to take up playing pantomime dames.ï¿½ ï¿½Most of the time I do play the baddies. People are usually booing and hissing before I even get on the stage!ï¿½ Of course in real life John is nothing like that character that haunts him. And he's looking forward to performing at the Plaza particularly as he's philanthropically involved in preserving such buildings. He says: ï¿½I absolutely love this theatre - it is such an amazing building. "So many of these beautiful old buildings were destroyed, and a a lot of the children in the audience will never have seen anything like this before. "I belong to the Cinema Theatre Association which works to prevent places like this from being torn down, so for me to perform in this theatre will be a real treat." Ah, what a good guy after all!

The Adventures of Robin Hood Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne 2011/2012 The defining factor that separates good pantomimes from great pantomimes is not just the connexion with the audience; it is also the connexions within the cast. A perfect example of this can be found in Eastbourneï¿½s brilliant festive treat. This is not just a pantomime cast ï¿½ this is more like a family of performers. Chris Jordan has, as usual, assembled an incredibly talented and, in most cases, familiar team who all act, sing, dance and, to be honest, work their socks off to make sure that the audience has the best possible experience. This is a pantomime in the very best tradition, and the audience reaction throughout shows that young and old alike are able to find plenty to enjoy. The Sheriff of Nottingham, played by John Altman is suitably evil and with the help of Karen Mann as his mother, Morgiana, they make a tremendously nasty double-act with both children and adults soon filling the air with boos and hisses. Tracey Penn, every inch the traditional Principal Boy, is just perfect as Robin Hood.

Playing with the full thigh-slapping gusto that the role demands, she powers her way through the musical numbers, shows that she is a very proficient dancer and provides the audience with the perfect antidote to all that evil. After taking a break from the cast last year, Carl Patrick returns to take the role of Will Scarlet which he plays with comic perfection. Enticing the children to scream ï¿½Watcha Willyï¿½ every time he appears gets plenty of sniggers from the younger section of the audience and allows Martyn Knight, as his mother, Dame Desdemona Double-Top, to provide the older spectators with a few saucy jokes and double entendres. Wearing 11 amazing costumes, ranging from a babyï¿½doll nightie to a full crinoline with various huge creepy-crawlies all over it, every entrance was a spectacular revelation. Robinï¿½s love interest, and ward of King Richard, Maid Marion Francesca Leyland is perfectly cast as she is suitably regal, but with more than a touch of vulnerability about her.

The band of Merry Men is completed by David Alder, Nicholas Colicos and Ray Griffiths as Friar Tuck, Little John and Much the Millerï¿½s son respectively, who all do their very best to extract every laugh they can out of the more-than-willing audience. The finales to act one and two were both as spectacular as they were unusual and helped, once again, to make this pantomime stand out from the crowd. From the moment the curtain went up to reveal an opening number lifted straight from Les Misï¿½rables, to the climax of the production ï¿½ which could easily have been lifted from the show that is soon to be seen at the Palace Theatre in London ï¿½ this piece is a total and utter gem. I cannot award six stars for a performance but if I could, I honestly would. Jack and the Beanstalk, King's Lynn Corn Exchange 2010/2011 A bad boy of soap opera is swapping Albert Square for King's Lynn's Tuesday Market Place this Christmas. John Altman, who played nasty Nick Cotton in Eastenders, will be starring in the first Christmas pantomime to be held at the King Lynn Corn Exchange.

It is hoped the ï¿½100,000 commercial production of Jack and the Beanstalk will bring new and younger audiences to the town's theatre. Earlier this year West Norfolk Council announced the pantomime, traditionally held at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton, would be moved to the King's Lynn Corn Exchange. The Hunstanton Theatre management will be leased out, with the successful bidder expected to be announced tomorrow. Mr Altman said he was looking forward to being part of the first pantomime to be held in King's Lynn. ï¿½I'm really excited about that and we hope it is going to be a big success. I think the way to make it a success will be to give it everything we've got. ï¿½We are going to give them a top class panto of the standard you would find in any big city. That is what's coming here to King's Lynn.ï¿½ Mr Altman said he had been offered parts in other towns, but had chosen King's Lynn. ï¿½I decided to do this one because I seemed to recall that it's a lovely place. This came up and I knew that it was a very attractive place.

ï¿½It is great fun doing panto and I love entertaining the kids. I always get a great reaction from them. ï¿½Having recently been back to Eastenders I will hopefully be recognised from people aged eight to 80.ï¿½ Aladdin, Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage 2009/10 EASTENDERS Nasty Nick will be at his most evil this winter. John Altman, who plays the Albert Square bad guy, will be playing the part of Abanazar in The Gordon Craig Theatre s Christmas Pantomime Aladdin and he s looking forward to getting reacquainted with the Stevenage public. Speaking to The Comet about the show he said: "I'm very much looking forward to it. I've done pantomime in Stevenage before about 10 years or so ago when we did Dick Whittington and I was King Rat. There was big ship in it and it was great fun. "There's a great old tradition at Stevenage. I like the size of the auditorium at Stevenage it's not too big. At Canterbury, although they are changing it now it's very big and that makes it harder.

"The intimacy of The Gordon Craig Theatre lends itself to panto and you can reach people a lot easier. "Also people go back to the panto at The Gordon Craig year after year. They're a lively lot down in Stevenage." John is no stranger to the part of Abanazar and is hoping he gets the opportunity to play some tricks on the unsuspecting audience. "I've played him before, he's a shady Egyptian magician so hopefully I'll get to play a few tricks on people and terrify them even more. I'm hoping to get lots of boos because I wouldn't be doing my job otherwise." He added: "I think it was in Stevenage once, that a lady bought her son back afterwards to show him I wasn't the nasty man he'd seen on stage but I still had my costume and make-up on and as soon as he saw me he burst into tears and held onto his mum's skirt as tight as he could. It was well intentioned but it backfired! Panto is all about making kids believe what they see is real. The Gordon Craig Theatre has a long tradition with pantomime and John believes there are several reasons why it is so popular.

"It's an old tradition and combines the good old English humour, that carry on used - the sort of postcard humour." "It's a family event at a festive time in a long grey winter. It's a relief all round at quite a stressful time of the year and it's allows people to go out and boo and hiss and cheer and let it all out." John has been heavily involved in the EastEnders storyline of late and recently went out in a blaze of glory as the cafï¿½ was blown up a scene he says he had great fun filming. "I'm ending my time there and it's been fun," he said. "I got very close and got very hot. It was exciting - I was inches away from the flames but it was all done very safely. We had the Harrow fire brigade on hand to make sure it was all safe.

"The stunt guys have these pipes that they feed gas through and they move them around that make it look like there's a big fire." The hosts, Babs and Gaz, along with three of the stars of this year's pantomime, Aladdin, showing at the Gordon Craig Theatre, including John Altman (Nick Cotton from EastEnders) and Craig Perry, at the Stevenage Christmas Lights Switch-on 26 November 2009 Dick Whittington, Hexagon Theatre, Reading 2008/2009 A BOLT of lightning roars through the PA system and backstage staff scurry around with their voices hushed. It's an hour before the matinee performance of Dick Whittington, this year's pantomime at Reading's Hexagon Theatre, and all hands are on deck making final preparations. The production, which has been running since December 6, features ex-Hollyoaks actress Christina Baily who plays Dick, and EastEnders comeback actor John Altman, who stars as the villainous Evil King Rat.

There's an of air anticipation in the warren of backstage rooms, which resembles a bomb site, with random items strewn around - a green polystyrene hand, a sailor's hat, discarded paint pots and an old vacuum cleaner to mention a few. Head flier Lorenz Hamadeh, who is in charge of the curtains and putting the scenery backcloths in place, is making final checks with the stage crew. "We're always a bit boisterous and the adrenaline starts flowing," he says. From a backstage point of view, the cloths and the set have been more involving than in previous years. "They're more detailed, so when you look from the front it looks more three-dimensional. "We've had to work a little bit harder than in previous shows." Meanwhile, wardrobe assistant Emma Lloyd is frantically unloading costumes from a tumble drier and shipping them to the dressing rooms in a washing basket. "I've been making some of the costumes, organising them, maintaining them, washing them, then I dress the actors during the show," she explains concisely. It's very busy in the mornings and busy throughout the whole day.

Everything has to be washed after the show and everything has to be dried and ironed." As the anticipation mounts, members of the cast are pacing around in their dressing rooms, reading over their lines. "I guess on the first show you're pretty nervous," says John Altman, sitting in a white bath robe and blue pumps, applying his make-up. "The adrenaline is flowing, even if you've been in the business a long time. Anyone who says different isn't telling the truth, especially in pantomimes, because you have half the time to practice. There's a hell of a lot to fit in and it's a bit hair-raising when the curtain goes up." The 56-year-old, who commutes from Richmond, has to rise at 5am each day, and says he rests and psychs himself up by listening to heavy rock music and hitting the gym. Analysing his evil character, who attracts a hail of boos and hisses, he says: "I especially like the physicality of getting myself into a rat-like mode, with the walk and the movements.

King Rat is unique, he's devious and mysterious." But door man Dil Longstaffe, who controls who comes and goes, is somewhat detached from the melee, and says: "Sometimes it looks like pandemonium and I wonder how on earth can they get a show together, when they're walking about with half an outfit on. "It's the part that the audience doesn't see, but the hustle and bustle is all part of what they do." Snow White, Civic Theatre, Darlington 2007/2008 Listen to John talking about his role in Snow White at the Civic Theatre, Darlington 2007. Click below. Jack and the Beanstalk, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury 2006/2007 This yearï¿½s pantomime seems to take on a sharper edge. The dancers display more athletic technique than previous years, giving them the chance to show off their talents. The sets have more depth and realism and there seems to be an overall assured confidence within the cast. This must be due in part to choosing a cast which gel comfortably together.

Ben Nicholas aka Stingray from Neighbours has mastered audience participation and with Steve Walls as his brother Billy, the humour and slapstick are well executed. Geordie Walls is brilliantly cast and performs with experienced confidence. Petite Rachel Jerram makes an endearing Princess Tamara with a powerful voice. Her father the King is played by Livy Armstrong with an amusing, bumbling authority. Amanda Barrie, from Coronation Street and Bad Girls performs a childlike Fairy Sugarsnap with balletic flourishes and some delightful moments involving her broken wand. EastEndersï¿½ bad boy Nick Cotton alias John Altman plays her nemesis Fleshcreep. Being evil is clearly no difficulty for Altman and his musical numbers are well performed. . Local favourite, comedian Dave Lee appears this year as Widow Twankey. His popularity with the Marlowe audiences makes him and his ghost gag bench a real crowd pleaser. The Marlowe hits the mark again this year and with flying peas, a brilliant dancing cow and an impressive giant, the producers Evolution Pantomimes have continued to provide new ideas to reward its faithful audiences.

Two of the stars of Jack and the Beanstalk, this year's panto at The Marlow in Canterbury, came to Deal to switch on the Christmas Lights on Thursday (23 November). Shown here in Gerry Costa's photos of the ceremony, outside St George's Church in Deal High Street, are Amanda Barrie (from ITV's Coronation Street) and John Altman (from BBC-tv's Eastenders) together with Deal mayor Cllr Jim Cronk, and Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade president Cllr Pat Heath. Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Crewe 2005/2006 THE good, the bad and the beautiful have been unveiled in a puff of smoke to herald this year's Lyceum Theatre panto in Crewe. It was launched by a spectacular array of actors as the cast of Aladdin graced the stage ahead of their appearances in December. Former stars of EastEnders, Emmerdale, The Bill and Brookside donned their costumes to whet appetites for what is to come in the Christmas production of Charles Vance's Aladdin.

Original soap bad boy John Altman, who came to fame through his role as nasty Nick Cotton in EastEnders , plays Abanazar. Since leaving the soap, he has appeared in Oliver! and had an outstanding run as Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago. Altman appeared in a play called Worm's Eye View at the Lyceum in March and is looking forward to returning to Crewe. He says: 'The Lyceum theatre is a beautiful theatre and the audiences are always full of life and create a good atmosphere. 'It's lovely working there as it's perfect for panto. 'I like coming back to do theatre performances because you always have to give it that little bit more than in film and TV.' Jack and the Beanstalk, The Pavillion, Worthing 2004/2005 Old Panto pic of Rollo,David Karl and John Altman. Jack and the beanstalk at the Worthing pavilion theatre. Peter Pan, Beck Theatre, Hayes 2003/2004 By Rachel Sharp, Leigh Journal Peter Pan at the Beck Theatre was all a Panto should be and more.

The old favourite told the magical story of the boy who didn't want to grow up and instead spent his days fighting pirates in Neverland. The wonderful scenery transported the audience from the roof-tops of London to a fairytale Lagoon in the Neverland forest, where Captain Hook fought the brave hero Peter Pan. John Altman (aka 'nasty' Nick Cotton) was, as usual, a brilliant baddie in his role as the evil Captain Hook, and Sara Hillier was completely believable as the impish Peter Pan. Altman played his villainous character to full effect and soon had the children booing and hissing every time he so much as stepped on the stage. Russ Kane of Capital Radio fame brilliantly played Hooks' sidekick, Starkey, and the hilarious Jeff Stevenson as the pirate Smee was the link man, keeping the story moving along nicely and involving all the kids in the fun. There was more singing and dancing in Peter Pan than I remembered as a child, but it was worth it. The children from Hillingdon Theatre Dance Centre were fantastic, and Vicki Randall who played Wendy sang beautifully. And then there were the pirates.

Apart from a comical sketch involving floor mops and the hilarious 'He, Me, Who, Him' sketch, the acrobatic dance displays by the pirates, played by Joey Bryans and Philip Marriott, were a good enough reason alone for anyone to want to step aboard the Jolly Roger. There were just enough 'he's behind you' moments, sing-a-longs, and the usual slapstick humour that goes hand in hand with Pantos to keep everyone entertained, including the adults. And for the adults trying to re-capture their childhoods, well I am not embarrassed to say that I screamed myself hoarse trying to tell Peter Pan and his gang there was a crocodile behind them, and I clapped along furiously with all the five year olds to save the beautiful Tinkerbell, played by Lucie Cullinan. Peter Pan, Derngate Theatre, Northampton 2002/2003 Kristen O'Brien as Peter Pan and John Altman as Captain Hook CBBC's Kristen O'Brien and EastEnders' baddie 'Nasty' Nick Cotton (John Altman) star in this year's Derngate pantomime, Peter Pan.

Kristen O'Brien is the boy who never grows up, Peter Pan, whilst Altman plays his arch enemy, Captain Hook. He's taking a break from touring in the musical Chicago to play Captain Hook. It's his first visit to Northampton but it's a return visit for Kristen O'Brien. She played Peter Pan at Derngate in 1997. Also in the show is Andy Ford, who's famous for his crazy antics as Patrick Baker on Five's children's show Havakazoo. He plays Hook's sidekick Smee. The panto also features the Tangra Troupe - an award-winning balancing and tumbling act from Bulgaria. They'll be playing pirates. Comedian Jim Davidson's own production company is behind this show at the Derngate. They're promising spectacular effects and plenty of fun and laughter. Bronze statue of panto legend Dave Lee unveiled outside the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury May 2014 Hundreds turned out despite the downpour for the grand unveiling of a statue of panto legend Dave Lee.

The bronze figure, complete with the comedian's trademark bench, was created as a tribute to the "country's most famous and respected panto dame", who died in 2012 aged 64. It has been installed outside the Marlowe Theatre, providing a permanent reminder of the dedicated entertainer who performed more than 1,000 pantos there over 16 years. A devoted philanthropist, he also raised more than ï¿½2 million for his charity, Dave Lee's Happy Holidays, which sent ill and disabled children and their families on trips. Theatre-lovers and showbiz friends, including the likes of John Altman, Richard Digance, Joe Pasquale and Brenda Blethyn, turned out in force yesterday to honour the larger-than-life comic. Marlowe Theatre director Mark Everett said the statue provided a tangible memento of someone who was "a big fella in every sense of the word". Panto directors Paul Hendy and Emily Wood with actor John Altman He said: "It's a wonderful moment and a great tribute to a great man who we still miss - particularly during pantomime season. "Dave was such a fixture here, and never, ever missed a performance.

People remember him with great affection. "He wasn't much of an actor but had a great presence on stage. Audiences miss him, but his legacy is first-class pantomime here in Canterbury." EastEnders star John Altman, who met Dave many years ago while starring in panto in Surrey. Paying tribute to his "very dear old friend", the actor from Herne Bay - famous for playing "Nasty Nick" Cotton - described Dave as "unique and warm". Hundreds attend Dave Lee's funeral in Canterbury January 2012 Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of the Kent comedian and pantomime star Dave Lee at Canterbury Cathedral. Lee, 64, who was described as an "incredible comedian" and a "wonderful ambassador for Kent", died of pancreatic cancer two weeks ago. He starred in more than 1,000 pantomime performances over 16 years at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. John Altman gave a reading at the funeral. Altman was born in Herne Bay, went to school in Whitstable and had known Dave for 25 years.

He said: "We had three things in common; we were both born on March 2; we both played drums and we both supported Tottenham Hotspur." John Altman arrives for the funeral Ex-EastEnders star John Altman criticises the BBC soap for being 'politically correct' - BT Print this story John Altman, best known as EastEnders bad boy Nick Cotton, has said the BBC One soap is too politically correct these days. The 64-year-old actor played Albert Square’s villain full-time from the show’s debut in 1985 until 1991. Thereafter, he made several returns as Nick, the son of Dot Branning (played by June Brown) until the character was killed off last year. Talking about EastEnders to Metro newspaper, John said the soap is too cautious in its approach compared to the 1980s. EastEnders’ star John Altman (Dominic Lipinski/PA) “In the old days, you could decide if your character was going to have a cigarette in a scene. Now, you need written permission from someone.

June Brown still gets away with it, though.” He cited another example in which his character Nick, who had long been a racist, had originally used the P-word to describe Arthur ‘Fatboy’ Chubb (played by Ricky Norwood). John said: “The other occasion was when Nick had a line about Fatboy saying, ‘At least that P**i has gone’ and then Dot told him off. Nick Cotton is a racist psychopath. They stopped filming and changed it to: ‘At least that illegal immigrant has gone.’ It’s not what Nick Cotton would say.” John Altman as EastEnders’ Nick Cotton (BBC) During his stint on the long-running soap, Nasty Nick repeatedly piled misery on his mother Dot with his crimes including murder, racist abuse, pimping and stealing. At one stage, he even tried to poison Dot, but then had a change of heart. Nick’s heroin addiction was used as the plotline for his exit – with his “Ma” Dot buying the bad batch of smack that ultimately killed him. Nick Cotton battled heroin (BBC) On the subject of how EastEnders differs compared with its earlier days, John said the increase in the number of episodes and characters has had a detrimental effect on the quality.

“In the earlier episodes, the storylines went deeper and you got to know the characters better. When you have more characters, you can’t spend as much time with each of them. When we started there were 24 characters and when I was last in the show there were over 50. Doing four episodes a week is hard work.” Ex-EastEnders star John Altman criticises the BBC soap for being 'politically correct' (From Kidderminster Shuttle) Ex-EastEnders star John Altman criticises the BBC soap for being 'politically correct' Ex-EastEnders star John Altman criticises the BBC soap for being 'politically correct' / Press Association 2014 John Altman, best known as EastEnders bad boy Nick Cotton, has said the BBC One soap is too politically correct these days. The 64-year-old actor played Albert Square’s villain full-time from the show’s debut in 1985 until 1991. Thereafter, he made several returns as Nick, the son of Dot Branning (played by June Brown) until the character was killed off last year.

Talking about EastEnders to Metro newspaper, John said the soap is too cautious in its approach compared to the 1980s. EastEnders’ star John Altman (Dominic Lipinski/PA) “In the old days, you could decide if your character was going to have a cigarette in a scene. Now, you need written permission from someone. June Brown still gets away with it, though.” He cited another example in which his character Nick, who had long been a racist, had originally used the P-word to describe Arthur ‘Fatboy’ Chubb (played by Ricky Norwood). John said: “The other occasion was when Nick had a line about Fatboy saying, ‘At least that P**i has gone’ and then Dot told him off. Nick Cotton is a racist psychopath. They stopped filming and changed it to: ‘At least that illegal immigrant has gone.’ It’s not what Nick Cotton would say.” John Altman as EastEnders’ Nick Cotton (BBC) During his stint on the long-running soap, Nasty Nick repeatedly piled misery on his mother Dot with his crimes including murder, racist abuse, pimping and stealing.

At one stage, he even tried to poison Dot, but then had a change of heart. Nick’s heroin addiction was used as the plotline for his exit – with his “Ma” Dot buying the bad batch of smack that ultimately killed him. Nick Cotton battled heroin (BBC) On the subject of how EastEnders differs compared with its earlier days, John said the increase in the number of episodes and characters has had a detrimental effect on the quality. “In the earlier episodes, the storylines went deeper and you got to know the characters better. When you have more characters, you can’t spend as much time with each of them. When we started there were 24 characters and when I was last in the show there were over 50. Doing four episodes a week is hard work.” EastEnders actor John Altman: 'Nick Cotton's exit is quite powerful' EastEnders actor John Altman: 'Nick Cotton's exit is quite powerful' John Altman speaks about saying goodbye to his villainous character Nick Cotton.

Don't Miss Share December 01 2016 2:10 PM October 31 2016 8:30 PM Latest News Share 2 minutes ago 11:36 AM Share 36 minutes ago 11:02 AM Share 1 hour ago 10:22 AM Share 1 hour ago 9:42 AM 2 hours ago 9:03 AM Must Read Share 18 hours ago 5:00 PM Share January 19 2017 8:58 AM Share 15 hours ago 8:00 PM 9 February 2015 1:54 PM Shares Warning: This article contains spoilers that some readers may prefer to avoid. EastEnders star John Altman has spoken about the decision to kill off his character Nick Cotton, admitting that he shed tears when filming his final scenes. The actor has played Nick on and off since 1985, but Albert Square's original villain will finally be written out for good in the build-up to the BBC soap's 30th anniversary.

© Rex Shutterstock Ken McKay/ITV Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Altman was interviewed on ITV's This Morning today (February 9) and admitted that it seems like the right time for Nick to meet his maker. "I think probably he's come to the end of his run," he commented. "It's been 30 years - I don't know how much more he can do, apart from create World War Three!" Asked whether EastEnders producers made him aware of the full storyline from the start of his latest return stint, Altman replied: "Yeah they did, and obviously as an actor, when they said that he was going to meet his demise, it was quite a big decision. "[I had] mixed feelings. I felt very sad as well, leaving the character behind. Also... I really enjoy working up there, getting into the routine. It's a long drive for me from Hampton Wick, but I've just got into this nice rhythm." Nick is expected to share his final scenes with his on-screen mother June Brown, as her character Dot Branning sees her villainous son's true colours at last . © BBC Altman continued: "During our final scenes, I did shed some tears.

I'm sure that was combined not only with what we were doing as actors but also some emotion coming up [as I was] coming to the end of the line with June. But I'll still see her of course." Quizzed on whether Nick's death is dramatic, he laughed: "No, it's quite low-key in a way. I did ask for helicopters but I don't think they could afford that! But suffice to say, the story is quite powerful and I think they resolve quite a few things together as well. He's very honest with her for once." Altman also confirmed that he will have a small involvement in EastEnders' upcoming Live Week, which kicks off on BBC One from Tuesday, February 17. He said: "I saw a lot of them last night and I think they're getting quite nervous. It's like the opening night of a play that's only on once, if you like - got to get it right! But I'm sure they'll rehearse it up to the hilts. "I will be [involved] slightly.

Visually he will be seen, but I can't say any more than that!" Eastenders actor John Altman spotted in Surrey after death of his character Nick Cotton - Mirror Online TV Eastenders actor John Altman spotted in Surrey after death of his character Nick Cotton Nasty Nick’s death from a heroin overdose and the confession to police by his mum Dot that she let him die were part of last week’s shocks in the BBC1 soap Share Keeping fit: John Altman was spotted jogging near his Surrey home Share Get soaps updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email Nasty Nick Cotton looks remarkably sprightly for someone who suffered a horrible death just a couple of days ago, write the Sunday People . Actor John Altman worked up a sweat the day after his villainous EastEnders character was seen by millions being carted to the mortuary in a body bag. Wearing a waterproof jacket with shorts and a sweat band, John jogged near his home in Kingston, Surrey.

Video Loading Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Share this video Watch Next The super-efficient 62-year-old even managed to grab some groceries from Waitrose at the same time and then pounded the pavement clutching a plastic bag from the posh supermarket. Nasty Nick’s death from a heroin overdose and the confession to police by his mum Dot, played by June Brown, 88, that she let him die were part of last week’s shocks in the BBC1 soap . But will the black-haired villain, who has been in and out of the show since it started in 1985 and last year faked his own death, make a miraculous return? If the scriptwriters get desperate, this one could run and run… poll loading Nasty Nick paid for my daughter's education! John Altman on the plus side of playing EastEnders arch villain Nick Cotton | Daily Mail Online Nasty Nick paid for my daughter's education! John Altman on the plus side of playing EastEnders arch villain Nick Cotton comments EastEnders star John Altman jokes that his character Nick Cotton’s had more comebacks than Elvis, Sinatra and even Count Dracula.

When the show is in need of a dollop of evil, John gets a call. Nick is far and away Britain’s most despicable soap character – a double murderer, who’s killed his son and tried to poison his mum. Now he’s returned and he’s as bad as ever. ‘It’s good to be back, and they’ve given me lots of horrible storylines,’ says John. John says that playing one of the most hated men in soapland has provided him with many opportunities that he wouldn't have otherwise have gotten ‘But I wouldn’t want him any other way.’ It’s Nick and John’s sixth stint in the show – he was one of the original characters when EastEnders launched in 1985 – and the role has given him regular work. ‘Playing Nick helped me get a house and paid for my daughter Rosanna’s education,’ says the 62-year-old. ‘I toured in the musical Chicago for a couple of years because of EastEnders,’ he says. That’s not to say playing one of the most awful characters ever to grace our screens hasn’t been a double-edged sword. ‘It can be difficult getting roles because I’m often typecast,’ explains John. ‘But I understand that.

Imagine if I joined Downton as a footman – the public wouldn’t think it’d be long before I’d poison Lord and Lady Grantham!’ GETTING TO KNOW...JOHN ALTMAN Couch potato or fitness fanatic? I run, cycle and swim to stay in shape. Steve McFadden (who plays Phil Mitchell) does a lot of swimming off the Cornish coast and I may try it too. Sunbathing or sightseeing? I’m a beach bum. The loveliest place I’ve ever been to is the Grenadines island chain in the Caribbean. It’s stunning. Cola or juice? I don’t drink alcohol but I love juices, and I’ve discovered coconut water recently – it’s good for you and tastes great. British or American drama? HBO in the US makes top-class TV – I’ve really got into Boardwalk Empire. Robert De Niro or Al Pacino Pacino? The Godfather blew me away. Posh nosh or good value? I like down-to-earth French food. And John’s even been threatened by a member of the public who confused him with Nick. ‘A bloke who was with a group of mates once wanted a fight and called me a terrible name.

I just agreed with him and he drifted off. The advantage of playing Nick is that people don’t know if I might just pull out a knife!’ Nick provided the dramatic climax to EastEnders’ very first episode on 19 February 1985 when, as a drug-addicted burglar, he put his fist through the Queen Vic window – and he’s been in trouble with the law ever since. After admitting in 1988 that he’d killed Albert Square war veteran Reg Cox – a murder victim in the opening episode – three years later he stabbed pub landlord Eddie Royle to death while coming off heroin. ‘Nick got really bad around that time,’ recalls John. ‘I remember thinking, “What is this monster I’m creating?”’ In 2001 the conniving criminal decided to murder Mark Fowler by cutting the brakes on his motorbike, but unintentionally killed his own son, Ashley. Then in 2009 he attempted to poison his mum Dot for her life insurance, before faking his own death earlier this year.

Looking back at his career, John – who also sings with a rock band called JOANovARC, with whom he’s releasing a single, Wild One, this Christmas – says he feels ‘proud and lucky’ to still be working. ‘So many actors fall by the wayside,’ he says. And, given how popular Nasty Nick is, there’s a good chance he’ll be in and out of EastEnders for years to come – leaving mayhem in his wake. ‘I’m back for a reasonable amount of time,’ says John. ‘But Nick isn’t going to stick around for long – he never does!’

Question: Which villainous soap character is played by John Altman?
Answer: Nasty Nick Cotton